Santa Cruz SPCA Pet of the Week: These puppies are buckets of love

It was during the investigation into the home of a well-known Los Angeles gang member that this litter of 9-week-old Jack Russell-mix puppies was found, along with five other adult dogs who were suffering from malnutrition, dehydration and lack of basic care. The puppies were being kept in a large bucket under a porch, covered in their own filth with no food or water in sight. Before they were to enter an overcrowded Los Angeles shelter, the Santa Cruz SPCA intervened and up the coast they came.

After some fine dining and badly needed bathing, the puppies were clean and well-fed. Each puppy has been closely examined by a vet and other than being a tad thin are healthy little wiggle worms. Darla, Farina and Sammy Sunshine are the girls, and they are all kept in line by their brother Buckwheat.

When they first arrived, the puppies were terrified and clung together as if they were one big ball of the same fur. As each day goes by, they are quickly differentiating themselves from one another and are showing their true colors as individuals. Darla is the sweet, innocent one who plays coy but when you least expect it, crawls into your lap and steals your heart with her big brown eyes. Farina is an exuberant little girl and was the first one to initiate play to let her siblings know that life was going to be looking up from now on. Sammy Sunshine is the leader of the group and wants to always test the water to make sure her siblings are safe. Fortunately she seems to have deemed us humans as acceptable and tends to hog your lap. Buckwheat is a go-with-the-flow and easy-going guy who's playful, goofy and good-natured.

Because these puppies are mixed with Jack Russell and Chihuahua, we predict that they will stay relatively small in size (most likely 10-15 pounds). These puppies have short hair that requires very little upkeep other than regular bathing. They will be relatively active and intelligent little dogs that will need to be kept entertained and engaged. Training is of utmost importance. Due to their young age, your schedule is a very important factor when thinking about adopting as they should not be left alone for more than three hours a day. We can see these puppies fitting into a variety of homes from apartments to large homes with large yards. Puppies this size don't tend to do well with rambunctious toddlers but should do fine with gentle and respectful children. If you want to show these puppies the difference between a bucket and a real home, please come to the SPCA!

Call the Santa Cruz SPCA at 465-5000, or visit www.santacruzspca.org. The SPCA, at 2685 Chanticleer Ave., is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The SPCA Mall Adoption Center and Gift Shop at the Capitola Mall near Target is open on Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The SPCA's adoption package for dogs and cats includes spay/neuter, vaccinations, micro-chipping, an ID tag, collar, a free vet exam, one month's free health insurance and other animal care materials.

Consider donating to the nonprofit Santa Cruz SPCA, which receives no government funding.